Lackawanna College Receives Award Awarded From the City of Scranton

Lackawanna College was recently rewarded $15,000 from the city of Scranton as part of the American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The funding from the American Rescue Plan Act will be used to support the Lackawanna College Counseling Program facilitated by Lackawanna’s Student Wellness Office, helping cover the cost of mental health counseling sessions for current students.

The project director for the counseling program, Student Wellness Program Director Tierny Ulmer Cresswell, is excited about the program and the care it can provide, especially with the increased need for mental health services post COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand mental health services here on our campus for our students. Mental health services are imperative to getting our students to graduation,” Cresswell said. “Similar with what other institutions are seeing post COVID-19, the intensity of student challenges are becoming greater – adding this level of care is necessary for students success .”

The counseling program started the 2022 fall semester and is free for any current student to take advantage of both in person, with an on-campus therapist located in Angeli Hall, and online through telehealth. Students in the Sunbury, Lake Region, Hazleton, Tunkhannock and Towanda Centers can use this service virtually as well.

“Student response has been wonderful, we surpassed the expected number of students within the first two months – that showed us quickly how much it was needed,” Cresswell said. “We are grateful to be able to provide quality mental health services to students at all Lackawanna College campuses for free. These funds will assist us to remove barriers students often face when trying to access mental health services.” 

Lackawanna College will use the funding from the American Rescue Plan Act on July 1, 2023.

HNB Joe Tini Earns National Certification

Joe Tini, Marketing & Communications Specialist at The Honesdale National Bank, was recently awarded the Certified Financial Marketing Professional (CFMP) certification from the American Bankers Association.

“Earning the CFMP certification validates Joe Tini’s experience and depth of education in the bank marketing arena,” said bank President, and CEO, Thomas E. Sheridan Jr.

The CFMP certification is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of financial services marketing. To qualify for the CFMP certification, individuals must have certain levels of experience and education in the financial services marketing profession, pass an exam and agree to abide by a code of ethics. The CFMP exam covers many areas including financial principles, laws and regulations, market research, characteristics of marketing plans, and marketing components.

Financial services professionals, working through ABA, initiated the CFMP certification and seven others to establish meaningful standards of knowledge in specialty areas of the financial services industry. ABA Professional Certifications formally recognize those who meet these standards and meet professional continuing education and development requirements. 

Tini joined HNB in his current role in 2020. He is a graduate of Valley View High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. He is an avid outdoorsman who spends most of his free time fishing, mountain biking, boating, skiing, exercising, and traveling.           

FNCB Bank Toys for Tots Drive Yields Hundreds of Toys for Area Children

FNCB Bank logo

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, is pleased to announce they recently held a bank-wide Toys for Tots drive that yielded hundreds of toys for children in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The drive was conducted in all 16 community offices as well as FNCB’s Corporate Centers in Dunmore.

Midge MacArthur, FNCB Bank Dunmore Community Office Manager, spearheaded the project.

“The generosity of our customers and employees is truly incredible,” said MacArthur. “Every year we do this, the number of toys donated increases. It’s because of this generosity, that many kids in NEPA will have a brighter holiday season.”

The support of Toys for Tots is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.

Geisinger Honors 237 Providers for High Patient Satisfaction Ratings

Geisinger recently honored 237 caregivers for ranking in the top 10% nationally for patient experience at the health system’s annual Top Patient Experience Clinicians Awards on Thursday, Dec. 1, in Danville, Pa. 

Geisinger providers — including physicians, physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners — were ranked among the best in the country by their patients, according to Press Ganey’s 2022 medical practice survey results. This survey gives patients an opportunity to grade the service and care they received from a provider.

“There’s no better indicator of being an exceptional provider than to hear it directly from your patients,” said J. Edward Hartle, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer for Geisinger. “Year after year, we have more Geisinger providers ranking in the top 10% nationally for patient experience, all while the standards keep getting tougher. We’re very proud to see our care providers continuing to excel in making better health easier for our patients.”

Among the 237 clinicians honored, three were spotlighted for exemplary work, receiving Geisinger awards for going above and beyond when it comes to compassionate patient care.

  • Kara Anne Levandoski, PA-C, in cardiology at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, received the Christina Appleman Award. The award is named in honor of Christina Appleman, certified registered nurse practitioner, and is given to the advanced practitioner at Geisinger with the highest overall score on the care provider section of the patient satisfaction survey.
  • Greg Francis Burke, MD, Geisinger’s chief patient experience officer and internal medicine physician at Geisinger Medical Center, and Jason R. Woloski, MD, family medicine physician at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, received the Victor J. Marks Award for best Outpatient Specialty Physician and Primary Care Physician, respectively. The award was established in 2002 to honor Victor Marks, MD, who served as Geisinger’s interim CEO from 2000 to 2001, and his commitment to making patients the primary focus of the health system. It’s given to the outpatient specialty physician and primary care physician at Geisinger who have the highest overall scores on the care provider section of the patient satisfaction survey.

The 90th percentile Geisinger winners in the Northeast Region are:

Amanda Maria Ketusky, PA-C

Alyson E. Evans, LGC

Alyssa Marie Callela, PA-C

Atul Bali, MD

Barry G. Bernstein, DPM

Bianca Maria Cerminaro, PA-C

Birju Bhatt, MD

Bogdan Protyniak, MD

Brianna Maglio, PA-C

Bryan E. Martin, DO

Cassandra Lynn Tunis, DO

Charles David Peters Jr., MD

Christian Stephen Adonizio, MD

Christina Lynn Feldmann, PA-C

Christopher Giddings Connolly, MD

Collin Douglas Hair, MD

Courtney Shingler, CRNP

Daniel William Upton, MD

David J. Kolessar, MD

Debra A. Lehr, OD

Dennis Michael Fisher, MD

Eileen Marie Rattigan, MD

Eric J. Kemmerer, MD

Erin Alexandra Colarusso, PA-C

Evan Lee McClennen, DO

Falan Eileen Glynn, PA-C

Fernando S. Carlos, MD

Gehred D. Wetzel, DO

George Ruiz, MD

Halime Ibrahim El-Hajmoussa, MD

Holly Maria Drutarovsky, PA-C

Jacob Adam Baber, MD

James A. Tricarico, DO

Jan M. Golden, DPM

Jason Raymond Woloski, MD

Jennifer Lynn Riccardo, PA-C

Jennifer Lynn Balinas, PA-C

Jillian M. Roush, PA-C

John Francis Danella, MD

John Joseph Sobuto III, DO

John Mark Prater, MD

John Robert Ramey, MD

Kaitlyn Elizabeth McDonough, PA-C

Kara Anne Levandoski, PA-C

Kathleen Quigley Whitney, PA-C

Karina Geronilla Phang, MD

Katrina Laura Kincel, PA-C

Kelly Jo Dalton, OD

Kenneth Louis Koury, MD

Kimberly A. Kovalick, DO

Kimberly Kaminsky, PA-C

Lakshmi Neeharika Saladi, MD

Laurie Campfield, DO

Leopoldo Legaspi, MD

Mary Catherine Brady, MD

Mary Rachel Wolf, PA-C

Matthew Gerard Mullen, MD

Megan Ward Harris, PA-C

Melissa Laporte, CRNP

Michael Andrew Kovalick, DO

Norma Michelle Boechat, PA-C

Ogechukwu Ndum, MD

Paul Anthony Arkless, MD

Paul R. Long, MD

Peter Joseph Cawley, MD

Renae Ann Keiper, PA-C

Sandeep Mehrok, MD

Sandra L. Pensieri, DPM

Shane Steven Young, MD

Shreya Sinha, MD

Stacy J. Conway, OD

Stanley John Yanik, PA-C

Steven Andrew Sluck, DO

Theodore James Tomaszewski, MD

Thomas I. Miller, PA-C

Timothy Jude Farrell, MD

Vernon H. Mascarenhas, MD

G.R Noto Electrical Construction Earns 2022 GASE Award

G.R. Noto Electrical Construction, Inc., has the pleasure to announce it has earned the 2022 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence (GASE). This award recognizes outstanding workplace safety. G.R Noto makes it a priority to protect workers and prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. G.R. Noto Electrical Construction, Inc., efforts help to make not only itself a safe work environment, but also Pennsylvania a much safer place in which to work.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Bureau of Workers Compensations stated they “were impressed with G.R. Noto Electrical Construction, Inc’s engineering innovations implemented since last winning the GASE award in 2016, most notably the Prefab shop and the Building Information Modeling System (BIM). G.R. Noto Electrical Construction, Inc. safety efforts have continued to result in incident rates well below industry averages.

Broadway In Scranton Three Show Holiday Ticket Package

This holiday season, Broadway in Scranton is offering a special three show holiday ticket package that includes Anastasia, Riverdance, and Fiddler on the Roof.

This three show Ticket Package, priced at $133, $180, $210 or $239 can be purchased online at
BroadwayInScranton.com, in person at the Broadway Theatre League (BTL) office (345 North Washington Ave, Scranton, PA) or by phone at (570) 342-7784. BTL Office Hours are Monday – Friday 10 AM – 4PM.

Holiday Ticket Package benefits include:

  • The Best Seats … Select your seats prior to shows going on sale
  • Same Great Seat … The same seat for each show
  • Value … over buying individual show tickets… Season Tickets provide for a Savings of Time &
  • Money
  • Convenience … One order and you get tickets to all of the shows
  • Guaranteed Nights Out … Season Tickets provide you the opportunity to pre-plan Nights Out
  • Free Ticket Insurance … Lose your tickets? No problem! We’ll replace them at no charge.

Individual Show Tickets Go On Sale Thursday, December 15th

Beginning Thursday, December 15 at 10AM, individual tickets for Anastasia, Riverdance, and Fiddler on theRoof go on sale ans will be available in person at the Scranton Cultural Center box office and online atBroadwayInScranton.com. For group (10+) rates and more information, call (570) 342-7784.


ANASTASIA January 27 – 29 (Fri. at 8PM, Sat and 2PM & 8PM, Sun. at 1PM)

Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Scranton at last!

From the Tony Award®-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

ANASTASIA features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a lush new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) based on original direction by Tony Award® winner Darko Tresnjak with choreography by Peggy Hickey and tour direction by Sarah Hartmann.

RIVERDANCE March 17 – 19 (Fri. at 8PM, Sat and 2PM & 8PM, Sun. at 1PM and 6:30PM)

Riverdance, as you’ve never seen it before!

A powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favourite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance.

Twenty-five years on, composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage and costume designs.

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary power and grace of its music and dance – beloved by fans of all ages. Fall in love with the magic of Riverdance all over again.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF April 21 – 23 (Fri. at 8PM, Sat and 2PM & 8PM, Sun. at 1PM and 6:30PM)

Audiences across North America are toasting a new production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF!

Rich with musical hits you know and love, including “Tradition,” “Sunrise, Sunset;’ “If I Were A Rich Man;’ “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “To Life (L’Chaim!),” FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is the heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and life, love and laughter.

Tony®-winning director Bartlett Sher and the team behind South Pacific and The King and I bring a fresh and authentic vision to this beloved theatrical masterpiece from Tony winner Joseph Stein and Pulitzer Prize winners Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. Featuring a talented cast, lavish orchestra and stunning movement and dance from Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will introduce a new generation to the uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy! To love! To life!

SACF To Host Press Conference

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is hosting a press conference on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Hilton Scranton Hotel & Conference Center to announce that it was selected to serve as a host site for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Leadership Academy, a fellowship program designed by the Aspen Institute designed to support leaders in workforce development committed to the advancement of the regional workforce ecosystem. The Scranton Area Community Foundation was one of only eight organizations chosen from across the country selected through a competitive process to deliver an Academy in partnership with the Aspen Institute.  Other cities selected include Tucson, Detroit, Cleveland, Memphis, San Antonio, Baltimore, and Buffalo.

The Workforce Leadership Academy will bring leaders – recognized as Fellows of the Academy – from across the local workforce ecosystem together for a year-long series of retreats, workshops, and action learning projects. Fellows work with leading practitioners throughout the country as they deepen networks; strengthen systems leadership skills; apply race, equity, and systems change frameworks to their work; and increase understanding of effective strategies and programs.  An advisory board comprised of regional experts will help to shape the Academy.

WHAT: Members of the media are invited to a press conference including Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, The Institute’s Executive Director Teri Ooms, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Durkin, NEPA Black Chamber of Commerce Director of Operations Rashida Lovely, and Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi.

WHEN: Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Hilton Scranton Hotel & Conference Center (2nd floor outside the Casey Ballroom)